Trump proposes to deny green cards to aid recipients

THOSE WHO have availed or may avail government benefits including food and cash assistance at risk

NEW RULE may impact hundreds of thousands of Indians living in US

Washington, Sept. 23: The Trump administration may deny green cards to immigrants who have availed or may avail government benefits including food and cash assistance under new rules which could negatively affect hundreds of thousands of Indians living in the US.

The proposed rule signed by the homeland security secretary on September 21 and posted on the website of the department of homeland security was slammed by the Silicon Valley- based tech industry and political leaders.

According to the rule, foreign immigrants who “seek adjustment of status or a visa, or who are applicants for admission, must establish that they are not likely at any time to become a public charge” unless determined by Congress. Public charge means receiving government benefits.

The latest move comes days after the Trump administration told a federal court that its decision to revoke work permits to H- 4 visa users, a significant majority of whom are Indian- Americans, is expected within three months, a move which will impact Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama- era rule.

As of April, there were 632,219 Indian immigrants and their spouses and minor children waiting for green cards.